• Boulder County Birding Certificate Programs
• Dragonflies of Boulder County, Colorado
• Puppet Show "Prairie Saga"

Boulder County Birding Certificate Programs

Advanced Birding Certificate Course (Spring 2010)
Join other experienced birders for this exciting new offering from Boulder Audubon! The emphasis of this course of study will be on identifying birds by sight and song in the context of their ecosystem niches on the Front Range, including nesting and feeding strategies.

• Thursday, May 20, 6:30-9:00 PM
• Saturday, May 22, 7:00-11:00 AM
• Saturday, June 5, 7:00-11:00 AM
• Saturday, June 19, 7:00-11:00 AM

Course limit: 12 participants
Tuition: $90 ($80 for BCAS "Supporting" members)
Registration: Contact Mary Balzer (marybalzer@qwest.net) or complete and mail the registration form, along with your check, to: BCAS, P.O. Box 2081, Boulder, CO 80306


Dragonflies of Boulder County, Colorado
Naturalists Scott Severs, Ann Cooper and Steve Jones present a photographic compilation of their exploration into the fascinating world of the dragonflies, the colorful aerial predators of the insect kingdom. Start learning about Boulder County dragonflies!


"Prairie Saga" Puppet Show
The short grass prairie is one of the most endangered ecosystems. Our 40 minute presentation, including Puppet Show and interactive Q & A game, takes you through a day in the Prairie Dog Colony.

• Did you know that the prairie dog has the most sophisticated language of any mammal studied besides humans?
• Or that prairie dogs have a complex burrow system that includes many rooms and escape tunnels?
• The kids learn that the Prairie Dog is a keystone species and 160 species depend on it for their survival.
  
• Snakes, reptiles, insects, birds, mammals and, of course, the prairie dog tell us about themselves in a fun and entertaining show.
  
• You can even hear real Prairie Dog alarm calls!
  

Our presentation is available to grade school age kids in Boulder County and Beyond.

Life in the burrow is shown through shadow puppets, so the stage needs to be indoors and is more effective in a darkened room.

Space Requirements: The stage is 8' tall and 5'x5' wide/deep.

To book a show or ask questions, contact: maureen_lawry@msn.com

• Teachers receive a handout that includes critical thinking questions about the content covered in the show.
• The program reinforces vocabulary and concepts that are taught in the third grade science curriculum dealing with the prairie.
• Also, the program supports art and literacy standards.
• There is Q & A game in which everyone participates.
• Everyone receives an amazing bookmark with photographs and facts about the prairie.

Please consider having us visit your group to put on this delightful "Prairie Saga" Puppet Show.

What they are saying about the Puppet Show:

Your show was inspiring and educational! Students learned a great deal about the importance of "keystone" animals and their effects on our environment if they are removed from our eco-system. Thanks for educating our students in such a clear, caring and creative manner.
-- Jenny Platt, Bear Creek Elementary School, Third grade teacher

Before watching the PRAIRIE SAGA puppet show at the zoo, I thought prairie dogs only caused plagues and should be eliminated. The show taught me about the colony. I was fascinated to learn that they have bathrooms in their burrows, a complex communication system and escape tunnels. This show enables me to teach first and second graders about the prairie dog and its importance as a keystone species in the prairie ecosystem.
-- M.S., a Denver Spellbinder (storyteller)

Comments (unedited!) from the kids:

The show was awesome.

It taute me new things, and It was funny.

I used to think that they were just dogs that just dig and dig.

I learned that prairy dogs are important to other life.